Vessels Great and Small

As under cover of departing Day
Slunk hunger-stricken Ramazan away,
Once more within the Potter's house alone
I stood, surrounded by the Shapes of Clay.

Shapes of all Sorts and Sizes, great and small,
That stood along the floor and by the wall;
And some loquacious Vessels were; and some
Listen'd perhaps, but never talk'd at all.

Said one among them -- "Surely not in vain
My substance of the common Earth was ta'en
And to this Figure moulded, to be broke,
Or trampled back to shapeless Earth again."

After a momentary silence spake
Some Vessel of a more ungainly Make;
"They sneer at me for leaning all awry:
What! did the Hand then of the Potter shake?"


from The Rubaiyat, by Omar Khayyam


What I like best about this photo is knowing each pot was placed there by my wife, who enjoys this part of her work at a local farm and garden supply store. Somehow they look extra satisfied waiting there, having been properly appreciated by a conscientious caretaker. It's a very hopeful scene if you think about it.